Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan says he will be there to support Scotland captain Darren Fletcher through his current situation.
The Manchester United ace has taken an extended break from football as he strives to overcome a chronic bowel condition that kept him out of action for about two months last season and has given him a stop-start beginning to this campaign.
Bannan, who recently received plenty of backing from Fletcher following a drink-driving incident, says he will now be there to support his national team skipper.
"I hit a low with the driving incident but Fletch was one of the first on the phone. That says it all for me. I was stupid and wasn't in a great place - but you find out who your friends are in situations like that and Fletch is one of them for me.
"What he's faced with won't be easy for him. But he knows there are a lot of people thinking of him. No one knows how long he's going to be out for but I'll be phoning him and texting him constantly.
"I sent him a text as soon as I heard and he was in good spirits all things considered. In fact, we ended up having a bit of a joke. He says he'll be back nutmegging me in training with Scotland before I know it!
"I think that's his way of dealing with it, but it sums him up that he's smiling already.
"I've only known him about a year but from day one he's been brilliant.
"It wasn't until my driving incident that I realised how close we'd actually become.
"I know I can count on him and I hope he knows he can count on me.""As soon as I heard I texted Fletch right away to let him know I was there for him. He was there for me," Bannan told SunSport.
